The Santa Barbara Independent

Here Comes Santa Barbara Coffee Week!

Cover Story By Indy Staff

Introducing the ‘Independent’s first-ever 10-day celebration of our caffeinated culture.

What’s the Future of Frinj Coffee?

Drink By Matt Kettmann

Coming off of a record harvest, the pioneering company is quickly adapting in the wake of Jay and Kristen Ruskey’s sudden deaths.

With New Mental Health Beds on Horizon in North County, Santa Barbara DA Takes Exception to State’s Diversion Law

Health By Nick Welsh

The state plans to award $20 million to the county for two community residential treatment facilities in Santa Maria while DA John Savrnoch is supporting a state bill that would give state judges and prosecutors more say about which criminal defendants should be diverted into mental-health programs.

Suspected DUI Stop Near Summerland Uncovers Large Fentanyl Cache

Courts & Crime By Ella Heydenfeldt

Lompoc woman Erica Racheal Ruvalcaba is arrested after deputies discover concealed narcotics inside a vehicle speaker during an early-morning enforcement stop on Highway 101.

New Plans for Old Santa Barbara Armory

Education By Callie Fausey

Santa Barbara Unified School District hears a plan to turn the armory into a career technical education center.

Santa Barbara Seeing Unseasonably High Number of Mosquito Complaints This Winter

Health By Nick Welsh

Heavy rains and high temps have created ideal breeding conditions for the blood-sucking bugs.

Santa Barbara Increases Cannabis Sales Tax Rate by 2 Percent

Cannabis By Ryan P. Cruz

The City Council voted 5-2 to bump the cannabis retail tax rate from 6 to 8 percent, despite concerns over a potential decline in sales.

Santa Barbara Stargazing Tour

Sat, Mar 28 7:15 PM

Santa Barbara

The Winemaker’s Table: An Evening of Rideau Reds

Sat, Apr 18 5:30 PM

Solvang

Film Club: “Intruder in the Dust,” 1949

Thu, Mar 19 1:30 PM

Goleta

Chaucer’s Book Talk & Signing: Elizabeth Gilchrist

Thu, Mar 19 6:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Wildflowers and other Wonders

Thu, Mar 19 6:30 PM

Santa Barbara

Resist & Rise: A Community Vigil to Protect Our Coast from Sable Pipeline

Thu, Mar 19 6:30 PM

Santa Barbara

Nefesh Mountain

Thu, Mar 19 8:00 PM

Santa Barbara

The 78th Santa Barbara International Orchid Show 2026

Fri, Mar 20 9:00 AM

Santa Barbara

The Framers & False Puppet with DJ Ringworm Radio

Fri, Mar 20 8:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Film Screening for World Down Syndrome Day!

Sat, Mar 21 11:00 AM

Santa Barbara

The Rack Grand Opening Party

Sat, Mar 21 12:00 PM

Santa Barbara

Live It Up Free Benefit Concert at Libbey Bowl

Sat, Mar 21 2:00 PM

Ojai

multimedia Stories

Agents of Chaos: Border Patrol’s Year of Unchecked Force

Border Patrol agents have been roving from city to city over the last 15 months, far from their home bases

Emergency Podcast: The Trump Regime’s Shock Move to Ram Offshore Oil through S.B., and State’s 11th-Hour Bid to Stop It

Video

In a special ‘Newsmakers TV’ episode, ‘Independent’ columnist Nick Welsh reprises his exclusive reporting about the fast-moving Sable Oil story, as California faces off with Trump amid war with Iran.

Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Profiles Santa Barbara’s Hannah-Beth Jackson

Video

In her interview, Jackson describes her decades-long ambition to pass equal pay legislation and how Oscar-award winning Patricia Arquette “lit the match” under her efforts as a California state senator.

Goleta Punk Show Raises Money for Undocumented Families

Video

Desmadre Media hosted the event, which took place at Foundation Press in Old Town Goleta on February 28.

Shaping S.B. Response to Regime’s Deportation Raids: ‘Fear by Design: ICE Tactics, Impact, and What We Can Do About It”

Video

Next Monday, a special public forum convenes amid ongoing attacks by Trump’s masked paramilitary agents on local neighborhoods, families and those bearing witness, presented by Dem Women of S.B.

UCSB Arts & Lectures ‘Air Time’ | Tiler Peck: Curating the Jerome Robbins Festival

Audio

A conversation with Charles Donelan.

UCSB Arts & Lectures ‘Air Time’: Jon Cleary of Jon Cleary & the Absolute Monster Gentlemen

Audio

A conversation with Charles Donelan.

Waves Crash over Santa Barbara Breakwater

Photo

Photographer Dave Everett captured the tall waves at the Santa Barbara Harbor Breakwater on the morning of February 17, as the surf and tides reach a peak with the new moon cycle. “Those who dared to take on the breakwater this morning … got wet,” Everett said.

One Last Look at the 2026 Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Photo

A photo recap of the 41st edition of SBIFF.

Bill Brown Chides ICE for “Excesses” – But Says Sheriff Must Stay “Neutral” Amid Anti-Immigrant Crusade

In an exclusive interview, Santa Barbara County’s top lawman expresses “empathy” for communities under federal siege, but insists his deputies cannot serve as watchdogs to protect protesters.

Arts & Entertainment

World Premiere Musical ‘Somebody to Love’ Is Already a Hit

Theater By Maggie Yates

Ventura’s Rubicon Theatre extends the show — a jukebox musical featuring music from Sly and the Family Stone; Bad Company; Earth, Wind & Fire; and more — before it begins.